yes I had quite a bit of help from my girlfriend, my mum and her boyfriend, I couldnt have done it without their help. My mums boyfriend is also really interested in hardy tropicals and has a very nice large garden with huge palms. He is a gardener by trade so that helps!

I think the Trachycarpus fans have been stunted by the 2010 winter but its looking healthy so im happy it diddnt die really

As for the Phoenix canariensis_CIDP Ill be digging a hole in the ground dropping it in in the pot then bringing it in the conservatory over winter, until it gets too big to lift that is ....thats what i did with my washy

I would have avoided the Phoenix canariensis_CIDP if the Trachycarpus took that much damage. Even people in Cornwall have a hard time keeping the Phoenix canariensis_CIDP alive from what I have read and digging it up every year would mean that the roots never fully establish. I would stick to Trachycarpus/Chamaerops and maybe a very sheltered Butia Capitata up against the south facing wall. Tetrapanax Rex and Ostrich ferns would fill up the empty space for you quite fast as well since they would spread themselves everywhere.

Greendragon he is keeping the Phoenix canariensis_CIDP in a pot, to just lift out every year so no roots to disturb as such. You could put lots of gravel at the bottom of the hole to discourage too much root from growing through too

Cordyman - not sure on where to put the rabbit hutch yet the rabbit is my missus' if i had my way it wouldnt be in the garden
as for the shed its going to go in the leftside back corner as thats the shadier of the 2 sides as im going to have all my large palms in the other corner.

I took a trip to vale exotics in Evesham today and was very impressed!!! good quality palms that look really healthy and most at a very reasonable price, I had to really excercise some self control when walking past the huge trachys and butias for £400

My Chamaerops Volcano suffered some leaf damage over the past winter even though we had quite a mild winter. Also had some leaf damage to my Chamaerops Humilis too. Lowest temps in Feb were about -8C with average lows of about -5C. I'm thinking about getting some fleece bags for my Volcanos and Humilis next winter.

My Chamaerops Volcano suffered some leaf damage over the past winter even though we had quite a mild winter. Also had some leaf damage to my Chamaerops Humilis too. Lowest temps in Feb were about -8C with average lows of about -5C. I'm thinking about getting some fleece bags for my Volcanos and Humilis next winter.

My Chamaerops Volcano suffered some leaf damage over the past winter even though we had quite a mild winter. Also had some leaf damage to my Chamaerops Humilis too. Lowest temps in Feb were about -8C with average lows of about -5C. I'm thinking about getting some fleece bags for my Volcanos and Humilis next winter.

Another Update and another weekend of hard graft
> Temporary patio laid (until i can afford decking)
> Shed base finished
> 6 trips to the tip
> gerenal tidy up and prep for turf
> itching to start spending my money on tropicals but have to be patient